Cardinals’ O-line future could take shape nicely
The Arizona Cardinals entered training camp with only one starting offensive lineman — center Rodney Hudson — under contract in 2023, and not long before training camp it was still unknown whether Hudson was even going to play this season.
The future of the line was cloudy, at best.
Things are beginning to look a little better.
Starting left tackle D.J. Humphries signed a contract extension through 2025. Josh Jones, a reserve entering this season, is expected to start at tackle next year as he enters the final year of his contract. Offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Sean Kugler said Jones could start this year and that he was one of the team’s best five lineman entering last year.
Hudson is still under contract next season but whether he returns is uncertain.
Right guard Will Hernandez is on a one-year deal, but his contract seems to be more of a one-year tryout for a long-term deal in Arizona. If he is solid, he will be re-signed.
Justin Pugh is year-to-year at this point in his career and they drafted Lecitus Smith, a player they see as having a future at center. He could be ready to play guard next year or perhaps compete for the starting center job if Hudson doesn’t come back for the final year of his contract.
If things go as the team potentially plans, they might not need to look outside the organization for any starting position next year, even though it looked like they might have to for almost all of them just a few weeks ago.
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Cardinals 53-man roster predictions after 1 preseason game
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